Shaw University’s 2nd Annual HBCU Triumph Gala, featuring honoree portraits and event details for the Dec. 6, 2025, celebration at The Westin–RDU.
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Shaw University Honors Visionary Leaders at 2nd Annual HBCU Triumph Gala, Dec. 6

Phyllis Coley @phyllis_coley

Raleigh, N.C. — Shaw University will honor distinguished leaders in education, civil rights, and philanthropy at its 2nd Annual HBCU Triumph Gala, taking place Saturday, December 6, 2025, at 7:00 PM at The Westin Hotel–RDU in Raleigh. The black-tie affair celebrates a legacy of leadership and community impact while raising essential scholarship funds to empower the next generation of HBCU scholars.

Celebrating Excellence and Impact

Promotional graphic for Shaw University’s 2nd Annual HBCU Triumph Gala, featuring honoree portraits and event details for the Dec. 6, 2025, celebration at The Westin–RDU.The 2025 HBCU Triumph Gala Honorees represent extraordinary achievement and lifelong dedication to education, equity, and empowerment.

This year’s Triumphant Honorees include:

  • NC Senator Daniel T. Blue, Jr.
  • Former U.S. Representative Bob Etheridge
  • Former State Representative Rosa Gill
  • Marcus Bass
  • The Whittenburg Foundation / Dereck & Jacqueline Whittenburg
  • The Joseph Hiram Holt & Elwyna Gant Haywood Holt Family / Joseph H. Holt Jr. and Deborah Holt Noel

Each honoree will receive one of the following distinctions:
HBCU Distinguished Alumni Award, HBCU Triumph Legacy Award, HBCU Triumph Community Activism Award, or the HBCU Triumph Magnum Opus Award.

“These honorees embody the courage, innovation, and dedication that define the HBCU legacy,” said Shaw University President Dr. Paulette Dillard. “Their stories remind us that education remains the most powerful tool for change.”

An Evening of Legacy, Pride, and Philanthropy

Guests will enjoy an elegant evening of live entertainment, fine dining, and community recognition, featuring performances by Candi “Sugafoot” Herbin, whose powerful renditions of jazz and soul classics will capture the magic and meaning of the season.

Funds raised during the gala—including proceeds from a silent auction—will directly support student scholarships and academic success initiatives at Shaw University.

Leading the Way

2nd Annual HBCU Triumph Gala — a black-tie celebration raising scholarship funds and honoring leaders who embody the power of education and community.The 2025 Gala is guided by Honorary Chairs who exemplify community service and leadership:

  • Attorney Charles Francis
  • Former State Representative Yvonne Lewis Holley
  • Darrell Tennie

Gala Chairs La’Tanta (LT) McCrimmon and Terrell Midgett lead the planning with vision and passion, supported by a dedicated committee of alumni and community advocates:
Dr. Dorothy Browne, Angella Dunston, Chris Foye, Monika Johnson Hostler, Michael Leach, Tonya Gouch Mann, Tammy Martin, Erroll Reese, and Tom & Deb Smith.

Honoring the Past, Empowering the Future

The HBCU Triumph Gala stands as a tribute to the enduring influence of Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Shaw University’s 161-year legacy as the first HBCU in the South.

This year’s theme—“Legacy, Pride, and Philanthropy”—celebrates triumphs past and present while advancing the mission to build a stronger, more equitable future for generations to come.

For tickets, sponsorships, and event details, visit www.shawu.edu/hbcutriumphgala25 or email [email protected].